Calculate the mass percent composition of each of the following substances. (b) Acetaminophen, a headache remedy: C₈H₉NO₂

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula of acetaminophen: \( \text{C}_8\text{H}_9\text{NO}_2 \).
2. Calculate the molar mass of each element in the compound: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O).
3. Determine the total molar mass of acetaminophen by summing the molar masses of all atoms in the formula.
4. Calculate the mass percent of each element by dividing the total mass of each element by the total molar mass of the compound and multiplying by 100%.
5. Express the mass percent composition for each element: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.

Key Concepts

Molar Mass Calculation

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). To calculate the molar mass of a compound, sum the atomic masses of all the atoms in its molecular formula. For acetaminophen (C8H9NO2), this involves multiplying the number of each type of atom by its respective atomic mass and adding these values together.

Mass Percent Composition

Mass percent composition refers to the percentage by mass of each element in a compound. It is calculated by dividing the mass of each element in one mole of the compound by the total molar mass of the compound, then multiplying by 100. This provides insight into the relative abundance of each element within the compound.

Empirical and Molecular Formulas

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule. Understanding the difference is crucial when calculating mass percent composition, as the molecular formula of acetaminophen (C8H9NO2) directly informs the molar mass and subsequent calculations for mass percent.